1 Jony, 1901.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 59 
item of valuable information to a rival or brother grower, his own system must be 
strangely perfect, or those he meets very barren of ideas, if he does not himself secure 
in return more knowledge than he was able individually to impart. 
At a Conference, men, in a manner hardly otherwise possible, can get to know of 
methods desirable to follow, or, whatis of no inferior value, of measures to be avoided. 
They are able to elicit specific information and to have the same on the spot traversed, 
corrected, or supported by others ; can learn why such or such a course, in their own 
case, led to comparative or total failure, and it is to be hoped will in return chronicle 
their special experiences. A well-ordered Conference, including amongst those present 
men well up on the subjects under discussion, provides a wide range of knowledge to 
be drawn upon, so that one man’s work, observations, and deductions can be endorsed, 
corrected, or carried further by what other men know. 
Should the State or district where the Conference sits be selected with educa- 
tional intent, much invaluable information will be gained from the fact that the 
object lessons presented will be seen under the very special advantages of having 
them in review at the one time by many minds capable of mutual assistance in the 
endeavour to get the utmost reliable educational lessons from the inspection. 
The same remarks apply to the lessons taught by any show held while the 
Conference is sitting. 
The more introductions secured, acquaintances gained, and channels of com- 
munication opened up, count for something, while the information derived from, 
and given to, brother workers owing to the facilities afforded for private conversation 
and interchange of ideas—altogether apart from the direct work of the Conference— 
can‘hardly be placed at toohigh a value. 
Instances could be quoted of an entire change for the better in the mode of a 
man’s life work, owing to these gatherings—of trade-routes exploited, and extensive 
business connections secured and satisfactorily maintained. 
Knowledge gained as to the conduct of work in other parts of the continent or 
State must broaden the mind and prove helpful to even the most advanced in any line 
of business. 
There is nothing more practically educative than the eye. By the medium of 
Conferences men have been constrained to travel and inspect at first hand, as they 
would not otherwise have done. 
Who can doubt were our manufacturers, dairymen, fruitgrowers, &c., all 
shipped over sea, say to Europe and America, to inspect for themselves the methods 
in those countries adopted, and have the advantage of personal discussion with the 
men conducting those interests, but that immense good would result to the industries 
of this State ? ; 
Life is too short for a man in this twentieth century to find out everything by 
_ his own experiments. ‘The pace of to-day demands that no avoidable mistakes should 
be incurred. ‘Che poet sings that we are “heir to all the ages,” which, practically 
applied, reads that the other man’s experience should be pressed into our service. Now, 
this is just what a Conference aims at, and, if well organised and conducted, secures. 
Leaving the discussion to bring out what more remains to be said as to the value 
of Conferences, the author will pass on to the consideration of some leading principles 
which his experience has shown it is desirable to follow to secure a maximum of good 
out of a Conference. 
Leading lines generally applicable to Conferences might be laid down, but, 
according to individual, special, or local environment, certain material modifications 
would be necessary. 
Tt will suffice for the purpose of this essay to deal with one class of conference 
only ; and, as familiar to most of those present, to select, say, a horticultural one as 
an example. 
The supreme authority in the, case of such a Conference might be the Department 
ef Agriculture in any State or some leading association or society in any State or 
istrict. 
Let it be assumed that the Conference about to be considered will be held under 
the auspices of some prominent horticultural association. 
PRELIMINARY. 
The association will properly have chief say as to the nature and control of the 
Conference— 
1. 1t will lay down the lines defining the extent and scope of the Conference. 
2. It will decide when and where the sitting will be held: Preferably, a time 
and district will be selected ensuring good attendance, and affording local 
object lessons so far as possible pertinent to the Conference programme. 
